BAE Systems is to develop new ammunition that is lead-free and even more deadly as part of a £2 billion contract with the British Ministry of Defense.

British forces currently use 5.56mm caliber rounds for their SA80 rifles. BAE Systems is working to design new bullets for soldiers to use in Afghanistan and Iraq after concerns arose that the existing ammunition is not deadly enough.

The British-based company will provide the Ministry of Defense (MoD) with one million of the new rounds for testing.

The new bullet will be lead-free with a steel core and longer in length, improving the bullet's range, accuracy and "stopping power."

Apparently, 5.56mm bullets have been known to pass through targets without causing a lethal wound.

Additionally, the MoD purchased 400 new Sharpshooter rifles for £1.5m for British forces in Afghanistan from funds available under Urgent Operational Requirements (UORs). The rifles use larger 7.62mm ammunition that can travel over longer distances.

UORs allow the MoD to borrow money from the Treasury for equipment not previously provisioned in their budget.